Today is the last day of the school holidays and I feel that this holiday has been eventful.

I have been stretched and encouraged by opportunities to learn new skills by attending professional development.

I have written two new devotionals and have been blogging.

I have spent time with my nieces and nephew in creating memories with them.

I had a car accident the first day of the holidays and yesterday I found out that my car has been written off.

I have been thinking about the scripture in James 1:2-4 (Message Translation)

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Count it all joy when test and challenges come at you from all sides. I don’t know about you but when I am going through things Joy is probably not the first thing that I think of. I am learning as I journey through life that trials have the opportunities to teach us new things and new ways to do things.

I was very concerned when I was hit from behind in my car and memories from the last time I was in a car accident came flooding back.

I was thinking oh my goodness this is what happened last time and I plummeted into an illness that was devastating.

I had to stop myself and realise that this accident is different, I am a lot stronger mentally and physically this time.

I know that I do not want to go back to that place many years ago. Going back is not an option.

I have grown through the challenges as a person and I am aware that my life has expanded since the last accident. I also have a great support network.

Life is to be experienced and life is to be enjoyed.

I don’t know what you are going through today, but can I encourage you to find a great support network.

Whether that is in your church, in your community or your family.

If you need to seek professional support, find someone that you can talk to.